Start here with the 'FLAT EARTH Clues' (Mark Sargent) videos:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLltxIX4B8_URNUzDE2sXctnUAEXgEDDGn
Scripture Based Flat Earth Proposition
- Thread starter Romans34
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https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLltxIX4B8_URNUzDE2sXctnUAEXgEDDGn
I cannot speak for others, but I know within myself I don't feel I am superior and I don't view others as stupid or uneducated just because they don't believe the same as I do. Duped and deceived, absolutely! But there's no room for arrogance because we've all been there. EVERY flat earther grew up believing the same thing(s) that EVERY one grows up believing. ALL of us were taught (basically) the same when it comes to Science. And as far as I know, virtually ALL flat earthers thought it was the stupidest thing they'd ever heard when they first heard it. The difference is that those who have pursued it with an open mind despite how stupid they thought it was are the ones who have learned the truth of it.
Although important (I believe) to understand about the flat earth, there are many more important truths that most people in the world don't believe. I am blessed to have been taught the Bible truths that I grew up learning and studying extensively myself. I am grateful I didn't grow up in a part of the world where I wouldn't have learned that Jehovah is the true and living God, for example. I am thankful and blessed that I learned the truth about God's love, mercy, and grace. I'd likely be in hell right now if I hadn't learned and accepted those truths. But MOST people in this world that we live in DO NOT KNOW THEM. Not knowing and accepting the truth about the earth doesn't have near the consequences that other truths in the Word of God have. But I have actually read accounts of atheists coming to believe in God because of flat earth.
I would say . . . Just below, not inside.
Psalm 104:3a
"Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters . . ."
I know you are basing your view on this thread using scripture but are you also knowledgeable from the math/science perspective of the debate?
I believe that I have a reasonable knowledge of the Math and Science I learned in High School; I was good at Math and preferred it and Science over English and History. Later I learned that English and History are more valuable in life than Math and Science, generally speaking. Also, in my adult life, I have learned that one can do almost anything with math. That is, if he is diligent enough, he can make math do (explain) anything for him. Math is only as good as the science, and if the science cannot be demonstrated repeatably, then it is NOT true science. Math is great for theory, but is is not always necessarily good for proof. And while there is Science behind it, for me, the Scripture trumps anything and everything regardless of the pros and cons of math and science. I believe that the Word of God is different than anything else ever written by man, because it was inspired by God. That holds weight! "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33). Men get themselves into trouble with Him when they try to use man's wisdom, knowledge, and reasoning to substantiate what God has already stated. It had been better for those men to have believed His Word FIRST, then substantiate the science by His Word (NEVER doubting His Word).
You would think that half of the year for Mercury (88 days) it would be on the other side of the sun from the Earth and would never be visible. At the very least you would think 44 out of every 88 days it would not be visible. But from 2008 to 2012, for those 5 years there were only 7 months when it was not visible. That is 7/60 or just slightly more than 10% of the time.
I disagree with your use of 'Except rarely' and 'almost always' as depicting reality. While it is true that there are some Flat Earth folks who may take such a stance or exhibit such an attitude - I believe that to be a reflection of their own personality - they are probably like that with other things as well. I believe most Flat Earth folks actually take a more 'humbled' approach and only want to share what they have discovered to be real and true.
I think a lot of what you are describing here is self-inflicted - assumed by those who have too much pride to admit to themselves that what they have been told could possibly be true.
I have no problem telling you that you have been deceived all of your life about many things - because, I believe it to be true. However, it is not because I think I am 'superior' or that you are 'stupid'.
The "knowledge" is available to any-and-all who are willing to open their eyes to see it.
And, level of education has nothing to do with it. But, willingness to swallow your pride has everything to do with it.
There is no "special knowledge" - that is the whole point - it is the "scientific authority" that claims to have "special knowledge" that you do not possess - which you choose to believe rather than trusting your own observation with your own God-given senses. Flat Earth folks tell you the knowledge is free - [that] all you have to do is look at it - but, you would rather live in the MATRIX with your ears, eyes, and mind closed.
You really are deceived if you directly equate or relate 'highly educated' to/with [the] 'real truth' without thinking - never questioning - never verifying - what you have been told.
And, therein lies the real problem - people don't want to think for themselves. And, they would rather place "highly educated" people on a pedestal rather than hold them accountable to the claims that they make.
There is more truth in these two statements than most people are willing to swallow their pride long enough to consider:
"Most people don't really want the Truth. They just want constant reassurance that what they believe is the Truth." (Author Unknown)
"Truth is available only to those who have the courage to question whatever they have been taught." (Author Unknown)
You would do well to consider the great volume of truth contained in these statements.
It is not about "special" knowledge, it is about expertise, I am not sure how that can be denied. A physicists has expertise in the area of physics right?
There are scientific/mathematical realities, not just about the shape of the earth but in general, no?
It is about "special knowledge" - when I have more time, I will see about writing a post to explain it...
Gary's right, it's about gnosticism. It's an elevated club. It's "special" knowledge. When Christian scientists who have expertise in the directly relevant science (such as astronomy) present their own personal observations and proofs that the earth is spherical and invite the listener to do these observations themselves and prove to themselves the earth is spherical... these observations must be disregarded, and one should never complete the do-it-yourself observations! You have to pretend you're willing to honestly review it, then come up with a flooringly bogus reason to dismiss it, and always, always, keep changing the specific topic to something more theoretical. Ask a seemingly bewildering question, and if it's answered, ignore it and ask another bewildering question. You can do this for eternity! It's fool proof! You might say it's a very disingenuous way... but people keep taking stuff! and everyone is so oblivious and gullible, and the enemy is constantly encroaching, and who can pass up being the hero? It's their Precious, they can possess it and it's the one thing they can call their very own and no one can touch it, no matter what.That is interesting,
You will need to define special knowledge I think.
So if I am following this post correctly, the people who have special knowledge are actually the the flat earthers and they are also the "you" in your second paragraph?
I am trying to understand the rational for this belief I guess.
I find it a bit baffling, but I do not see it as the worse thing a person could believe.
Yes, you described my post correctly in your first sentence. It's a little creative writing.
I have years of personal relations with flat earthers in real life (longtime and former flat-earthers), and also with people I really enjoy here on the forum. I've learned "flat-earthing" is a psychosocial issue, not an evidence-based issue.
In a way, I can have an appreciation for flat earth youtube videos and GaryA, because I didn't have any reason to doubt a spherical earth, so I had never previously researched the issue. Being a skeptical and researching something I love to do. And I did it years ago, and again more recently. Naturally (LOL) I thought my fellow christians who dabbled in the flat earth proposition would love hearing and seeing the proofs of the spherical earth and completing the observational proofs themselves. Well, news flash, that's not how some humans operate.
Yes, and some explanation is needed to go with it...That is interesting,
You will need to define special knowledge I think.
I haven't forgotten about you - just been putting more 'focus' on some IRL stuff - not spending as much time on CC - please be patient.
Lord willing, I will get to that post soon.
Wait, what? What does Mercury have to do with my question about the eclipse?
Millions of people observed the eclipse. The eclipse was predicted with great accuracy and precision, the two of which are not to be confused with each other, by calculations involving the earth and other planets revolving around the Sun and the moon revolving around the Earth.
How well did flat Earth theory predict the eclipse, with what degree of accuracy and/or precision?
Leave Mercury out of this. This ain't Mercury's party.